"They're heeeeeeeeeeere!"

-Poltergeist (1982)

October in Chicago began in an unconventional fashion. Tuesday morning arrived as a dull, grey, overcast day--typical for October--and yet, unseasonably warm. By days end, the clouds had cleared; giving way to a warm, perfectly gorgeous night. Certainly not a way to kick off the scariest month of the year.  

And yet, there I sat, eagerly on my couch anticipating another month of avid scary movie watching. The sun had set and left my already sun-lacked living room pitch black. As I turned on the TV set, the glow filled the dark room, and like Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) in Poltergeist, I sat transfixed on the screen. Summer has officially come to an end, the Indian Summer is upon us, and as October begins, so does 31 {Movies} of Halloween.

A History of 31 {Movies} of Halloween

I grew up hating scary movies. There was a time where at a very early age, I could be found screaming bloody murder whenever the Leprechaun (1993) commercials came on. (I still have never seen that movie.)

That all changed. 

The Sixth Sense. It's 1999 and I'm 10 years old. This movie is terrifying. But here's the thing: I'm hooked. M. Night Shyamalan was still unknown (at least to me) and Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis were amazing. AND THAT TWIST ENDING. From that moment on, I was hooked. I loved getting scared. 

About two years ago, I thought I would try out the idea of watching one scary movie every night leading up to Halloween. And why not? Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays, and I felt it would be something akin to listening to Christmas music before December 25th. So that's what I did. 

Or at least tried to. I think I got about 6 days in. 

The next year was the same way. Hopeful intent, disappointing results.

As this year rolls around, I'm dedicated to actually finishing the task I've set out before me twice before. I am dedicating myself to one scary movie a day in the 31 days leading up to (and including) Halloween. As I start this blog, I intend to use it as bait - a way to get myself to actually complete the task. 

I was going to acomplish this via Facebook. But why not make things more fun. I had a number of people interested....

So stick around folks. We're in for some scares...and some amazing movies. Perhaps some not so amazing movies as well...

THE RULES OF 31 {MOVIES} OF HALLOWEEN

1. The movie must be considered "horror" as designated by imdb.com.

2. One movie must be watched each day. Make-up days are not allowed, that is, two movies may not be watched on the same day. If two movies are viewed on the same day, only one is considered valid toward 31 {Movies} of Halloween.

3. No "thrillers" will be allowed. Only. Horror. Movies.

Enjoy your movie watching experience, friends. And take my advice-watch movies with someone. It's more fun. And you can have someone to snuggle up with when it gets just a bit too scary. 

N